A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day.
Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do,he was asking the older preacher for some advice. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But because of his great respect for the older preacher,he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do. Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem... "It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God's design; But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine." "The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. GOD opens this flower so easily, But in my hands they die." "If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design, Then how can I have the wisdom To unfold this life of mine?" "So I'll trust in God for leading Each moment of my day. I will look to God for guidance In each step of the way." "The path that lies before me, Only my Lord knows. I'll trust God to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose." Lord because of Who You are we can live with expectations of abundance. Lord we pray that you increase our faith that You supply to our needs within Your sovereign will. We trust in Your provision according to Your promise in Philippians 4:19. My God will liberally supply all your needs according to His Glorious riches in Christ.
This is almost overwhelming when you think about it.
Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required! Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for oneday (just think, they were forty years in transit). And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 49 500 000 litres each day and a freight train with tank cars, 2160 km long, just to bring the water! And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 960 km long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3,6 km wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in onenight. But then,there is another problem........each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of RhodeIsland was required, or a total of 900 square km long..... think of it! This much space for camping. Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs? I asked the Lord to bless you As I prayed for you today. To guide you andprotect you as you go along your way.......... His love is always with you, His promises are true, And when we give Him all our cares, You know He will see us through. Our God is an Awesome God !! So when the road you're traveling on seems difficult at best, just remember keep on praying and God will do the rest. May the Lord open up
The windows of heaven And pour you a blessing That you will not have room Enough to receive it all. May the Lord bless You exceedingly and abundantly, Above all you could ever hope for. May the Lord bless you That you may walk in a Financial overflow. May you fall in love with Him For the rest of your days In the Name of Jesus. Amen! According to the ordinance of his father David, he appointed the divisions of the priests for their service, and the Levites for their offices of praise and ministry alongside the priests as the duty of each day required, and the gatekeepers in their divisions for the several gates; for so David the man of God had commanded. (2 Chronicles 8:14)
There was a story about a man was eager to hear the famous chimes of St. Nicholas in Amsterdam. He had heard that they were some of the most beautiful chimes in the world. Arriving at the church he went up into the tower to watch the man who plays the chimes. To his horror he discovered that as the man struck the immense keys with his hands encased in wooden gloves the noise was deafening. The air was filled with a discordant cacophony of sound. The man who had been so eager to hear the beautiful chimes was disillusioned. Surely he had heard wrong about their beauty. The next day about the same time he was wandering on a hill-side near that same church. Suddenly he heard one of the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard. It was the chimes of St. Nicolas. He wondered if the man who played those chimes ever realized what a beautiful sound he was making for the people nearby. It sounded like only loud noise inside the tower, but to those in the countryside, it was the most beautiful music this side of heaven. Some of us may have equal difficulty seeing the beauty in our work. All of us may experience burn-out at some time or another, but what we do for God is very important. Keep at it! "There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man." (Ecclesiastes 9:14-15)
Disaster was averted and lives were spared. ...."But nobody remembered that poor man." Wise words of counsel were given and heeded and lives were blessed innumerably. ...."But nobody remembered that poor man." Could sadder words be spoken? I think not. ...."But nobody remembered that poor man." This time of year, we naturally think of giving more so than we do in any other season. But the best thing you can give this season - or any season - isn't for sale. It comes freely, but it only comes deliberately - and because you can't touch it, it can never wear out. It's called "appreciation." This season, as you give, give your heart. As you share presents of possessions, also share presents of your heart to encourage the spirit of others - tell them of your appreciation for them. Remember that poor man - and all the people like him. All the people God has sent your way and steered you away from destruction, time and again, all your life. Bless them today by remembering them. Those you know well and those whose names you know not. Give those you know what they need - your appreciation. Give those who have blessed you and you never knew it, what they need - your kindness, and so, your appreciation. Your appreciation of the lives of others may very well be the very best gift you can ever give. So give it often. For it costs you little and those who receive it will be wealthy indeed. "How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?" (1 Thes. 3:9) Once upon a time there was a little grape stem. This stem was so glad to
be alive... She drank water and minerals from the soil and grew and grew. She was young and strong and could manage quite well... all by Herself -- or so she thought. But then, the wind was cruel, the rain was harsh, the snow was not one bit understanding, and the little grape stem suffered. She drooped, weak and suffering. It would be so easy to stop trying to grow, to stop trying to live. The grape stem became weak! The winter was long, and the stem was weary. But then the little grape stem heard a voice. It was another grape stem calling out to her... "Here, reach out... hang on to me." But the stem hesitated. "What would this mean?" she thought, for you see, the little stem had always managed quite well... all by herself. But then, every so cautiously, she reached out towards the other grape stem. "See, I can help you" it said. "Just wind your tendrils about me and I will help you lift your head." And the little stem trusted... and suddenly she could stand straight again. The wind came, and the rain, and the snow, but when it came, the grape stem was clinging to many other stems. And although the stems were swayed by the wind, frozen by the snow, they stood strongly united to each other. And in their group supporting strength they could all smile and grow. Then, one day the little stem looked down and saw a tiny stem, swaying, frightened. And 'our' grape stem said, "Here, hang on... I will help you." And the other little stem reached up to 'our' grape stem, and together all the stems grew... leaves budded... flowers bloomed... and finally, grapes formed... and all the grapes fed many. Eendag het Jesus in 'n Samaritaanse dorpie ingegaan en Hy is nie goed ontvang nie. "En toe Sy dissipels, Jakobus en Johannes, dit sien, sê hulle: Here, wil U hê ons moet sê dat vuur van die hemel afdaal en hulle verteer... Maar Hy draai Hom om en bestraf hulle en sê: Julle weet nie van hoedanige gees julle is nie; want die Seun van die mens het nie gekom om die mense se lewe te verderf nie, maar te red." (Luk 9:54 - 56 OV). Watter soort gees is hier aan die werk? 'n Veroordelende gees. 'n Opname deur die Barna-navorsingsgroep wys dat die meeste niegelowiges vandag dink Christene is te veroordelend. Jy kan dus opreg wees, maar die wêreld sal dit sien as te streng. Dit was nog nooit belangriker om die waarheid van God se Woord te ken en daarvoor te staan nie. Maar as jy die regte leerstelling en die verkeerde gees het, sal jy meer mense wegdryf van Christus af as wat jy na Hom toe sal trek. Dink net - Christus se dissipels wou die mense wat nie met hulle saamgestem het nie, laat doodbrand! Hulle was nie eers bewus van die gees aan die werk in hulle harte nie. "... Jesus het gesê: '... jy moet jou naaste liefhê soos jouself.'" (Matt 19:18 - 19 NV). Dit sluit jou nie-Christelike naaste in. Jy hoef Jesus nie te verdedig of te "verkoop" nie. Jy hoef Hom net bekend te stel. Die Psalmskrywer sê: "Kom ondervind en sien self dat die Here goed is!" (Ps 34:9 NV).
Sielekos: Jes 58-62; Joh 9:1-12; Ps 15; Spr 29:4-6 “Now we who have believed enter that rest...”(Hebrews 4:3, NIV)
God desires for you to live in peace and rest no matter what is happening around you. When you believe God, you enter into His perfect rest. But if you are controlled by your circumstances, if you’re up when things are up and down when things don’t go your way, then life is going to be a roller coaster. God’s plan is for you to be stable, consistent, not moved by any of these things. Anytime you face adversity or hit a tough time, one of the best things you can do is simply stay calm and keep your peace. When you’re in peace, that’s a position of power. You’re saying with your actions, “God, I trust You. I know You are still on the throne. This may be difficult, but I know You are fighting my battles.” That’s what faith is — believing that God is who He says He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. When you believe God, you enter into rest and walk in peace and joy no matter what is happening around you. Father, thank You for peace and rest as I put my trust in You. Today I declare that You are my King. I declare that You are faithful. I declare that my faith and trust is in You, knowing that You have a good plan in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen. |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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